4 Epic Irish Road Trips & Where to Stay in Style

There’s something inherently romantic about the Irish road trip. Maybe it’s the way mist lifts from the hillsides, revealing ancient ruins and postcard-perfect villages. Maybe it’s the rhythm of the winding roads, flanked by dry stone walls and sheep-dotted fields. Or perhaps, it’s the promise of arriving not just somewhere beautiful, but somewhere exceptional.

At The iNUA Hotel Collection, we believe the destination is only part of the story. Where you stay shapes how you feel the place — its pace, its people, its sense of style. These four curated road trips pair Ireland’s most evocative routes with elegant, characterful stays in our hotels. Designed for travellers who seek more than sightseeing, these journeys are for those who travel well.

The Wild Atlantic Way: Raw Coastlines & Refined Stays

Route: Sligo → Limerick
Distance: ~220km
Best for: Surf seekers, sea air, and slow mornings with ocean views

Begin your journey in Sligo, a town that pulses with poetry and Atlantic energy. Walk the beach at Strandhill where surfers carve waves beneath Benbulben’s shadow. Discover local artisans, café culture, and the quietly magnetic atmosphere Yeats wrote about.

From there, head south through Mayo and Galway’s edges, skimming the Burren’s lunar limestone before reaching Limerick — a Georgian city reborn with creativity and culinary confidence.

Stay with us:

• Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo – Elegant coastal rooms and a spa that faces the ocean’s mood swings

• Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Limerick – Minutes from the River Shannon and perfect for cultural detours into Clare

Ireland’s Ancient East: Stories Etched in Stone

Route: Kilkenny → Dundalk
Distance: ~190km
Best for: History lovers, castle chasers, and culture wrapped in cobblestones

Start in Kilkenny — a city as stylish as it is storied. Browse design boutiques, catch a festival, or toast with a locally brewed Smithwick’s in a centuries-old pub. Then wind your way northward through Tipperary and Louth, where myth and monastic sites dot the hills.

End in Dundalk, a coastal town with Viking bones and a gateway feel — where the Irish Sea whispers of ancient trade routes and modern reinvention.

Stay with us:

• Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel – Boutique flair inside a listed building steps from Kilkenny Castle

• The Gateway Hotel, Dundalk – Our newest opening, merging sleek design with views of the Cooley Mountains

Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands: Quiet Luxury in the Centre

Route: Athlone → Monaghan
Distance: ~150km
Best for: Slow travel, lakeside escapes, and under-the-radar gems

Begin in Athlone, the country’s heartbeat. Watch boats slip past on the Shannon as you sip coffee in a waterside café. Take in Lough Ree’s quiet expanse before venturing north through Roscommon and Leitrim — places that reward curious travellers.

Your final stop is Monaghan, a county that’s quietly captivating — home to lace-making heritage, sculpture trails, and some of the finest hospitality you’ll find in the north midlands.

Stay with us:

• Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone – A modern marina-front hotel with river views and rooftop cocktails

• Hillgrove Hotel & Spa, Monaghan – A warm, design-forward base with family touches and wellness appeal

Cork to Killarney: The Culinary & Coastal Route

Route: Cork → Killarney
Distance: ~100km
Best for: Foodies, spa-lovers, and those craving beauty with depth

In Cork, the English Market sets the tone: flavour-first, fiercely local. Explore Cork Harbour, step back in time at Blarney Castle, or lose an afternoon meandering through the colourful villages of West Cork. Then point your car further west to Killarney, the gateway to The Kingdom and the original homeland of soulful Irish hospitality.

Whether you follow the Ring of Kerry or the whisper-quiet roads through Killarney National Park, this route is a sensory feast.

Stay with us:

• Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Cork – Georgian charm with urban convenience, set in landscaped grounds

• Muckross Park Hotel & Spa, Killarney – The sole five-star retreat nestled within our National Park, where old-world elegance meets contemporary indulgence

A Note for International Travellers

• Airports to know: Dublin, Shannon, Cork — all within easy access to our routes

• Best months to travel: May to September for long evenings and lush scenery

• Driving essentials: Left-hand side, book automatics in advance, and don’t rush — the detours are often the best parts

Make It Your Own

Every road trip is an invitation to slow down, to wander, to rediscover a place and your own rhythm. With The iNUA Hotel Collection, the journey is elevated, and the welcome always personal. Explore our full collection of hotels across Ireland →